L.D.W.F. Extends East Zone Alligator Season through Oct. 4 Due to Impacts from Hurricane Isaac

Sept. 18, 2012– The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced today the extension of the East Zone 2012 Wild Alligator Harvest Season through Thursday, Oct. 4.

LDWF Secretary Robert Barham approved the extension in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 49:953B of the Administrative Procedure Act and LAC 76:V.701.A.7.a.i.

LDWF had delayed the scheduled opening of East Zone alligator hunting from Aug. 29 until Sept. 1 due to the approach of Tropical Storm Isaac, which reached hurricane strength before landfall.

The storms impacts included flooding and displacement of residents, and inundation of alligator habitat in coastal wetlands. For these reasons, many alligator hunters in southeastern Louisiana were delayed in their efforts to begin hunting Sept. 1 and need additional time to complete their alligator harvest activities. The East Zone is now scheduled to close on the same day as the West Zone, which began as scheduled on Sept. 5.

Alligators taken from the wild may be removed from hook and line, and other legal capture devices, only during daylight hours between official sunrise and official sunset. Hunters are reminded to coordinate their harvest activity with their local alligator buyer or processor as they may have also been affected by the hurricane.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana's abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov[5], on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb[6] or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.